PBH-100 water Hall thruster
A 120 to 200 watt Hall-effect thruster system that uses water, aimed at microsatellites and small satellites.
Why it matters
Hall thrusters give more thrust than ion engines at similar power. A water-fed version would let larger small satellites move faster without xenon or krypton.
How the technology works
Pale Blue lists the PBH-100 for microsatellites and a larger water Hall thruster for satellites up to 700 kg. SpaceNews reported a Japanese SBIR award worth up to $27 million to develop water ion and Hall-effect thrusters.
Sources
Updated Oct 22, 2026 · How we source facts · Suggest a correction